Computer Malware and Spyware can negatively impact your computer’s performance and put your personal security at risk! With each passing month, there is more and more Spyware that is released on the Internet, potentially placing your personal information and computer at risk.  Spyware does this through:

-         Display of a Large Number of Pop-Up Advertisements

-         Decreasing the Speed of Your Computer

-         Crashing Your Computer

-         Invading Your Privacy

-         Stealing Your Private Information

Spyware Protection Steps

Spyware Protection Step #1 – Using a Firewall

Most computers come with a built-in Firewall today. Many users, however, are either 1 – Scared of using a firewall or 2 – Become annoyed at firewall warnings of spyware or malware attack against their computer that are false alarms and turn it off. Installation and use of a firewall, however, is critical in guarding your computer against spyware and Trojan viruses that attempt to gain control of your computer for use by hackers! Windows XP and Vista come with a Firewall already built in to the Operating System in order to help you guard against Spyware targeted at Microsoft produced OS’s!

Spyware Protection Step #2 – Update Anti-Spyware Software and Spyware Removal Tools

Keeping Windows updated on a regular basis is another key to keeping your computer free of computer spyware and malware! New spyware and malware is released every day and if you delay updating Windows, you could put yourself at greater risk of spyware infection!

Spyware Protection Step #3 – Adjust Web Browser Security Settings

If you have a choice in what Web Browser to use, consider the freely available Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Each comes with additional security than is found in Internet Explorer and can keep your computer from being attacked by Microsoft specific spyware and adware. If you do use Internet Explorer, adjusting your security settings for the Web Browser to an Internet Zone level of Medium or higher will help prevent your computer from being infected with malware. This is the default setting starting with computers that run Windows XP Service Pack 2. To check and change your current Internet Explorer settings, do the following:

1 – Open Internet Explorer. Select “Tools->Internet Options>”

2 – Choose the “Security” tab and then toggle the security setting to medium or higher.

Spyware Protection Step #4 – Download and Install Antispyware Software

There are a number of Antispyware software packages available on the market. Windows Defender comes bundled with Windows Vista and is free to download for Windows XP, SP2. Norton and Symantec are two of the other well-known anti-virus and anti-spyware software companies on the market. Whatever software package you choose, however, check to make sure it is legitimate by reading multiple reviews on the software to avoid being tricked into downloading fake anti-spyware, spyware such as Barracuda Spyware!

Spyware Protection Step #5 – Be Careful Surfing and Downloading Files

Be judicious in your web surfing habits! Here are some tips to think about when surfing the Internet and downloading files or software:

-         Don’t download programs or files from websites you do not trust. If you haven’t heard of the company before, Google the software or company name to see if you see any negative complaints first.

-         Read the EULA (end user license agreement). A lot of Adware and Spyware will tell you what they are going to do in the fine print…

-         Do not choose “Ok” or “Agree” to close out of a window online. “Alt + F4” or the big “X” in the corner of the browser window will help prevent some threats from infecting your computer.

-         Be very, very leery of File sharing and free movie sites. One of the most common ways hackers get backdoors installed on work and home computers is through infected multimedia files. Don’t let them get to your computer!

These steps are not all encompassing, but by following them; you will be well on your way to being protected against computer spyware and malware.

Barracuda Spyware Description

Barracuda Spyware is a fake anti-malware program that attempts to trick you into thinking your computer is infected with other malware. It then tries to convince you that you need to buy the promoted product it advertises in order to remove the malware from the PC. Unfortunately, similar to other fake anti-spyware and anti-malware tools that are hitting the Internet, if you do buy the product, your computer will become infected with even more malware and Microsoft targeted Spyware!

Barracuda Spyware Aliases

Barracuda Spyware has a number of other names or aliases depending on what anti-virus or anti-malware tool you are using. Some of the other names for Barracuda Spyware are:

FakeAler-C, SpywareProtect2009, FakeAV-LS, Adware.SpywareProtect 2009, FaudPack.kho, Antivirus System Pro, Barracuda Antivirus, Security Central, and FakeSpyPro. Although it is commonly labeled as Spyware, Barracuda is really considered a Trojan Virus so you will run across both labels for it when searching across different legitimate anti-malware and anti-spyware tools.

Barracuda Spyware Symptoms

Barracuda Spyware symptoms will vary a bit depending on the variant that your computer is infected with. The following are common symptoms across the different variants of Barracuda Spyware:

- Presence of these files on your computer’s local drive:
“%windir%\sysguard.exe”
“<system folder>\iehelper.dll”

- The following registry modifications:
Key value: “system tool with Key data: ”%windir%\sysguard.exe”

Subkey: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run with value “(default)” and data “bho”.

Subkey: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{C9C42510-9B21-41c1-9DCD-8382A2D07C61} with value “(default)” and data:  “<system folder>\iehelper.dll”

Subkey: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{C9C42510-9B21-41c1-9DCD-8382A2D07C61}\InProcServer32 with value “(default)” and data: “0”

Subkey: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{C9C42510)

Barracuda Spyware Payload

Barracada Spyware will attempt to moderate your Internet use.The DLL”<system folder>\iehelper.dll”, is used by the malware to change search results on your computer for Yahoo, Google, MSN, and live.com. It will then take you to browser-security.microsoft.com in order to further distribute additional malware to your computer. It will also modify theWindows Hosts file on your computer in order to redirect you to malicious websites in order to trick you into downloading additional malware. It will attempt to send you to the following IP address and URL through modifying the Windows host file:”195.245.119.131 browser-security.microsoft.com”

Barracuda Spyware Basic Removal Steps

Barracuda Spyware can result in a number of particularly nasty computer viruses, spyware, and malware getting installed on your computer. As a result, you should  removed Barracuda using an anti-virus program if you are not savvy with registry modifications and computer security. Click here for automatic removal instructions for removing the Win32.Barracuda Spyware.